Who's got a Solar Power System installed?

[Psyber]

One interesting thing I learned at the "Mechexpo", put on by Engineering students from Adelaide Uni recently, was that solar panels can be up to 60% more efficient if you can keep them cooler.
The display, with graphs from their trials, suggested they are better mounted in the back yard on a frame just above the ground and grass than up on the roof.

Now I have problem.
I have an ideal location facing north-west in my back yard with just a few "significant trees" in the way..
I may have to email my local mayor about which way the Council would swing on that dilemma.

[dedja]

ESCOSA have delivered a draft determination on the mandated FIT that retailers will have to pay from Jan 2012.

This will be an additional FIT amount to the 44c (or 16c if you're system was approved after 30 Sept 2001) that you will be paid by your electricity retailer.

So based on the draft, you'll get a guaranteed 51.1c FIT from Jan 2012, and the amount will increase over time.

http://www.escosa.sa.gov.au/projects/16 ... emium.aspx

[Psyber]

I notice advertised prices for installations have seemed to be falling since the subsidies evaporated.
They may rise again with the news dedja posted - I'll look at the article this afternoon as I have to go out soon.

[dedja]

correct, prices have plummeted ... makes the pay-off equation interesting now

[MatteeG]

Keep us posted dedj- still keen on following this, just refinancing the home to free up some coin...

[Psyber]

correct, prices have plummeted ... makes the pay-off equation interesting now

Yes at the 23.1 cents for post September sign ups - and rising slowly - you are getting less than you are paying per kwh for your inputs.
My supplier is charging 24.5 rising to 31.0 per kwh as consumption goes up, and I think the Summer rate is a touch higher.
So the panel price drop versus the return calculation needs careful looking at.

I suspect that loss of interest on the cash in the bank may make it not worth while at those margins.
But if I can find the link to one of the calculators that used to be up I'll run the figures again.

PS: if any retailer is giving better kwh rates than I am getting from Origin please let me know!

[dedja]

use the estimator on the escosa website http://www.escosa.sa.gov.au and put in your consumption info from your last 4 invoices and they'll list all the retail offers.

[Psyber]

Thanks dedja, I'll run it at the weekend.

[dedja]

My last invoice was $1.52, same quarter last year was $908 (most of that was winter)

Half way through the current quarter and my estimated invoice to date is -$122

[Psyber]

use the estimator on the escosa website http://www.escosa.sa.gov.au and put in your consumption info from your last 4 invoices and they'll list all the retail offers.

There is some question about he reliability of this estimator.
It suggests I would save about $350 per year by swapping to Red Energy or Simply Energy.
Yet, from their web sites, their quoted rates per kWh are substantially higher than those on my latest Origin account..

[dedja]

It's normally up to date ... sure you're comparing the same plan?

[Psyber]

It's normally up to date ... sure you're comparing the same plan?

I'll have another look.

[Psyber]

It's normally up to date ... sure you're comparing the same plan?

I'll have another look.

The one I found on the page I got to from your link was this: http://archive.escosa.sa.gov.au/estimator/index.cfm
I didn't ask me to specify which plan I am currently on at any stage, and I notice my "Origin HomeChoice" plan did not appear in the Origin list it gives on completion.
It is no longer on the Origin site either, so, perhaps I am on an old plan no longer on offer.
It looks like I should stick with it, based on the per kWh rates Origin and everybody else now quotes.
(Unless, of course, my rates have gone up when I get the next bill.)

Using latest AC, to October 2011:
Off peak inc. GST - 13.04 ...... cf RED 12.65, SIMPLY Energy 12.6 - but my off peak use is low..
Peak base rate inc. GST - 23.13 ..... cf 26.4, and 26.56
Looking at the scales, there may be an advantage to the others if I climb above 4110 kW per quarter but that's unlikely.

[stampy]

was contemplating changing to solar but after reading the diatribe on here its too ******* mind boggingly confusing for an average joe like meself

[Mythical Creature]

I've just organised connection of power to my new house, and have chosen to go with Lumo Energy. From what I could work out most retailers were pretty similar, and was tossing up between Lumo and Simply Energy. The 10% discount when paying your bill on time, plus the guaranteed plan where if you find a better deal they will match it or beat it got Lumo over the line.

[Squawk]

Does anyone know of any retailers who currently offer more than 6 cents/kw exported to the grid? I had heard that some retailers paid 8 cents/kw in addition to the govt's feed in tariff.

The extra 2 cents/kw would have been worth about an extra $36 to me in the last 3 months. In that time (since I was installed and connected to the grid) I've used 1,342 kw and exported 1,812kw. I can't recall what I've generated but I think it's about 600kw or so on top of what I've exported. Still haven't got a bill from Origin but on inquiry today, was told they have been having some problems and I should get a bill (for the period beginning 8 June 2011!) in mid-December.

[dedja]

AGL pay 8c extra FIT, but they'll screw you on consumption so you'll be worse off ... need to take both sides of the equation into account.

My retailer doesn't pay extra FIT on top the mandated 44c, but their rates make up for it.

You just need to do the sums for your situation as everyone is different.

[Squawk]

Good point Dedja! I might need to compare my rates on an online site somewhere.

[Dog_ger]

I have a 1.9kw system.

If I had the money, I would tripple that system.

Unfortunately I am a very low income earner....

Anyone that wants to donate to the Dog_ger Solar Power System Upgrade, Step Forward Please.

[Dutchy]

There is little to no benefit if your not going to be staying in your home long term. In fact IMO this wont add any value to homes and in many cases devalue them. There are some cracking homes in my area which are now eyesores due to ugly panels on their roofs which will only look worse when they signs of wear and tear.